Pau Gasol Denies Rumor He Requested Spurs Trade or Buyout Before Deadline
San Antonio Spurs big man Pau Gasol insisted "the source" of a report that said he wanted to be traded or bought out didn't come from him.
On Tuesday, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reported Gasol's reaction.
This comes after ESPN Deportes (h/t News 4 San Antonio) reported Gasol asked the Spurs to deal him before last Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News cited an Eastern Conference general manager who said the Spurs were attempting to move Gasol before the deadline.
According to Spotrac, he is making $16 million this season and is set to make $16 million with a partial $6.7 million guarantee for next season. That is a lot to pay a 38-year-old who is no longer a primary contributor.
While Gasol is a potential Hall of Famer who has two championships, four All-NBA selections, a Rookie of the Year and six All-Star Game nods, he is averaging just 4.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per night in 2018-19. The 23.5 minutes per game he played last season represent his previous career low.
Gasol missed time earlier this season with a foot injury, and it would be understandable if he wanted a change of scenery given the fact that he is behind LaMarcus Aldridge, Davis Bertans and Jakob Poeltl in the rotation.
However, he made a point of saying he didn't ask out of San Antonio, and he'll look to help the Spurs secure a 22nd consecutive playoff berth.
